City strategy to help keep bins in their place

Friday, July 19th, 2013

A new draft Waste Policy from the City of Sydney would allow people who don’t have space for their red or yellow-topped wheelie bins to apply to leave them permanently in a public place like a footpath or alleyway.

If adopted by Council, residents and businesses will be able to have their say on the changes when the Waste Policy goes on public exhibition later this month.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that a small number of the City’s residents don’t have room to store bins on their property, and the policy was a practical way to deal with the problem.

“Bins left out after collection day can be an eyesore and clutter our streets, alleyways and footpaths. But space is at a premium in the inner city and for some people living in older style apartment buildings or small houses it’s simply impossible for them to store bins on their own property.

“This policy strikes a balance that will make the city more attractive and liveable, while recognising that some properties such as bald face terraces without back yards do have special circumstances.”

Under the draft policy, a City officer will do a detailed assessment for each premise that applies for approval to leave bins in a public place, and will consider factors including possible alternatives, footpath obstruction, pedestrian, bike and traffic movement, visual amenity and potential vandalism of bins.

The City collects waste and recycling materials from over 90,000 properties each week. Last year, the City collected more than 60,000 tonnes of garbage and recycling items, and ensured that nearly 66 per cent of that was recycled.

The draft policy was developed to update and replace the City’s previous waste management policy, and provides residents and business with clear and concise information about the City’s waste services.

Information includes: waste collection times, zones and charges, rules on disposing of hazardous items such as flammable liquids and e-waste, and details of the City’s free weekly collection service for bulky items.

Under the policy, schools in the City will get a free recycling collection service of up to four 240-litre bins each week.

“Waste collection and recycling are important City jobs that are vital to keeping our city beautiful and running well,” the Lord Mayor said.

The draft policy is being placed on public exhibition so the community can provide feedback before the final plan is considered by Council.